NACA releases “SAFETY: The Necessary Elements to Return Passengers to the Skies,” outlining principles for the U.S. airline industry to resume regular operations.

Arlington, Va. – The National Air Carrier Association (NACA) today issued an initial set of principles for the resumption of regular commercial flight operations in the wake of the economic and societal disruptions unleashed by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. “SAFETY: The Necessary Elements to Return Passengers to the Skies,” outlines actions NACA believes must be taken to ensure that the U.S. airline industry can restore public confidence and be a safe catalyst for economic recovery.

“The SAFETY principles are a critical first step in what we believe should be a collaborative planning process between the federal government and industry stakeholders for U.S. airlines to resume normal flight operations when it is safe to do so,” said NACA President and CEO George Novak. “The U.S. airline industry will be a vital component of America’s economic recovery. To be successful, the public must be confident that they can fly with us without risking infection from COVID-19.”

SAFETY is an acronym, referring to:

Safety: Every effort must be taken to ensure that passengers, crews and those working on aircraft are protected from further exposure to the COVID-19 virus.

Access: Access to air travel – and the resulting consumer spending at hotels, restaurants, resorts and retail establishments – will be a critical element of the economic recovery.

Flexibility: Airlines must have the flexibility to shift aircraft and routes to meet demand as it ebbs and flows during the recovery.

Economic Viability: Restrictions on air travel cannot be so stringent that passengers can’t fly easily and affordably, and airlines can’t return to profitability and protect jobs.

Testing: The federal government must work quickly and methodically to deploy a measured approach to COVID-19 testing in airports that utilizes the latest technologies for both screening (e.g., non-contact temperature scanning and effective antibody testing) and credentialing (biometric or tamper-proof identification systems) for those safe to fly and interact with others.

You: The most critical element in returning to the skies is you. You are the reason we fly. More than anything else, we care about your health and safety and helping you return to better days.

A pamphlet with more detail on the SAFETY principles can be found on NACA’s website here.

“America’s economic recovery will require enormous, coordinated efforts from governments, industries and people across the nation,” Novak said. “We look forward to working with all stakeholders to plan for resuming regular activities and hope the SAFETY principles serve to kickstart those discussions.”

“For the travel and hospitality industry, the safety of the traveling public, our guests and our employees is of the utmost importance. We are in daily contact with public health authorities and are acting on the most up-to-date information on the evolving coronavirus situation.

“Health and government officials have continually assured the public that healthy Americans can ‘confidently travel in this country.’ While it’s critically important to remain vigilant and take useful precautions in times like these, it’s equally important to make calm, rational, and fact-based decisions.

“Though the headlines may be worrisome, experts continue to say the overall coronavirus risk in the U.S. remains low. At-risk groups are older individuals and those with underlying health conditions, who should take extra precautions.

“The latest expert guidance indicates that for the overwhelming majority, it’s OK to live, work, play and travel in the U.S. By seeking and heeding the latest expert guidance—which includes vigorous use of good health practices, similar to the preventive steps recommended for the seasonal flu—America’s communities will stay strong and continue to thrive. The decision to cancel travel and events has a trickle-down effect that threatens to harm the U.S. economy, from locally owned hotels, restaurants, travel advisors and tour operators to the service and frontline employees who make up the backbone of the travel industry and the American economy.

“We are mindful of a guiding principle that long predates this current public health situation: without the safety and security of travelers, there can be no travel. The travel industry will maintain lines of contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services and will remain vigilant for any changes. Collectively, we are taking enhanced steps to ensure both the safety of travelers, guests and our own employees.”

Arlington, Va. – The National Air Carrier Association (NACA) announced today that Chris Brown, an executive with more than two decades of experience working aviation issues in industry, on Capitol Hill and at the FAA, will be joining NACA as Vice President for Government Affairs and ULCC Policy. In this role, he will, among other duties, coordinate NACA’s advocacy on issues facing passenger operations in the ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) sector. NACA’s ULCC members include Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines and Sun Country Airlines.

“We are thrilled Chris is joining NACA,” said NACA President and CEO George Novak. “He brings a wealth of experience working in government and industry on a wide variety of aviation issues. Chris is highly regarded by senior aviation policy makers and Congressional staff on both sides of the aisle. His expertise will push our advocacy on behalf of our ULCC members to a new level.”

Prior to joining NACA, Brown served as Assistant Administrator for Government and Industry Affairs at the FAA and Staff Director for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation, where he was responsible for developing and implementing legislative and regulatory strategies promoting safety, certification and integration of emerging technologies into the national airspace system. He also served as Vice President for Legislative and Regulatory Policy at Airlines for America and ran a federal policy and legislative consulting services practice for trade association and industry company clients.

Brown also served as senior government affairs advisor to United Airlines while at the Washington, D.C., office of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, and consultant to American Airlines while at the Washington, D.C., office of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP. He holds a J.D. from the George Washington University Law School and a B.A. from Boston College.

ABOUT NACA
Founded in 1962, NACA is a trade association comprised of air carriers certificated under Title 14, Part 121 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Our members are a diverse group of air carriers, providing scheduled and non-scheduled passenger and cargo services. NACA carriers fill a unique niche in the air carrier industry, offering services in response to ever-changing demands from the U.S. military, the traveling public, and businesses. NACA members include: Air Transport International, Amerijet, Allegiant Air, Atlas Air, Everts Air Cargo, Frontier Airlines, Kalitta Air, Lynden Air Cargo, Miami Air International, Northern Air Cargo, Omni Air International, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, Swift Air, USA Jet Airlines, Western Global Airlines, and World Atlantic Airlines.

In December 2019, NACA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation to help train airline employees to recognize and report human trafficking, known as the Blue Campaign. We agree to invite the Blue team over on a yearly basis to help support and advertise the training offered to airlines to fight human trafficking.

NACA member Sun Country Airlines announced in December a significant expansion of its business by partnering with Amazon Air to fly air cargo. As part of the agreement, Sun Country will induct ten Boeing 737-800 converted freighter aircraft into its fleet to be operated on behalf of Amazon Air as part of the airline’s schedule. This is a first-of-its kind partnership for a scheduled service passenger airline. We congratulate Sun Country on this tremendous news which will expand its operations, expand business opportunities, and employ more American workers.

Nov. 18, 2019: The National Air Carrier Association and its aviation industry counterparts issued a joint letter opposing efforts by the Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Peter DeFazio, to place onerous and unnecessary restrictions on U.S. airline use of foreign maintenance facilities. We strongly believe “The Safe Aircraft Maintenance Standards Act” would threaten U.S. jobs, hurt small businesses, disrupt international air travel and weaken the competitiveness of the U.S. aviation industry. In addition to placing U.S. mandates on foreign countries, the bill mandates onerous new record keeping and reporting requirements that do not facilitate greater aviation safety.

May 28, 2019: The National Air Carrier Association filed comments before the United States Trade Representative today opposing possible tariffs on European aerospace products which would include Airbus aircraft and parts. If tariffs were imposed the European Union would respond by placing tariffs on Boeing aircraft and parts. NACA’s member airlines operate both Airbus and Boeing aircraft. Tariffs would artificially raise prices resulting in higher airfares for the traveling public as well as cargo shippers.

The National Mediation Board (NMB or Board) is proposing to amend its regulations to provide a straightforward procedure for the decertification of representatives. The Board believes this change is necessary to fulfill a fundamental issue of fairness to employees who no longer feel their interests are being addressed by their representatives. NACA supports the amendment.

On January 10, 2019 NACA and numerous other aviation/space/travel associations have urged the President and Congress to re-open to government in the wake of the shutdown. The letter details several areas where tremendous damage is being done to all aspects of commercial air travel, airlines, airports, and manufacturers. The coalition strongly urges a compromise be found to allow normal operations to resume.